Off-Piste and Heliboarding

Let’s face it, there is nothing like the sensation of riding in fresh powder. It’s what snowboarding is all about. Tignes has some of the best off-piste terrain anywhere in the world, and the best snow record in Europe, making it one of the go to spots for freeriding.

What you get on the Rebel Alliance Snowboarding Off-Piste Course

The course will take you on some of the classic lines of Tignes including Mickey’s Ears, Tuff’s Couloirs, Chardonnay Bowl, Grappion and Pisteurs Couloir, to name a few. As ever, these are all dependent on rider’s abilities, but Si will always find something suitable for the group level. Si is an extremely experienced off-piste snowboarder, meaning that you can be shown all the secret spots and cheeky lines that you wouldn’t find if you were riding on your own. Apart from showing you the local stash spots, you will be coached in the art of freeride. There is more to it than “just lean back”.

Sessions are 3 hours long, giving us ample time to access one of the classic lines of the area. There will usually be a hike involved, which should never last for more than one hour. You will be given avalanche equipment and full instructions on how to use it. Groups are kept to a maximum of six riders to ensure safe, productive sessions.

Rebel Alliance off-piste courses really are one of our premium products. Si absolutely loves freeriding and is very proud to be able to share his knowledge of the area with clients and friends alike. These courses attract like minded snowboarders that return year after year to gradually ride more challenging terrain, and to be involved in an incredible atmosphere of learning and discovery.

Occasionally, if conditions are suitable, we ride in Sainte Foy. For those of you that don’t know, Sainte Foy is an amazing resort only 20 mins away from Tignes, and has some incredible tree runs which make it ideal when the wind is blowing too strong up in Tignes. Si’s Defender will enable us to spend a morning or occasionally a whole day during the course riding this incredible terrain.

Rebel Alliance now operate a sister company called Tignes Heliboarding, enabling you to fulfil your dreams of being dropped at the top of an isolated peak then having the whole descent to yourself

What do you get on a Tignes Heliboarding day?

You will be picked up at your accommodation around 8am and driven to La Rosiere. Your guide will then take you to the Italian side of the resort in La Thuile. You will be picked up in the helicopter and dropped at the top of Mont Freduaz, a 2835 meter peak on the French/Italian border. After taking in your surroundings and getting a few pictures, you will enjoy a descent of over 1000 vertical metres in awesome snow. The decent is perfect for snowboarding. It has numerous natural features like rock drops, big banks for slashing, and open spaces to let rip. The run finishes in magical trees before passing through quaint Alpine villages. At the bottom of the descent in La Masure is our vehicle ready to take us back to Tignes for some celebratory drinks or we can go for a late lunch in the legendary Chez Marie restaurant situated in Le Miroir.

Tignes Heliboarding freeride days are a guaranteed way of getting into the backcountry, regardless of weather conditions. Naturally, due to extreme weather conditions, helicopters cannot always fly – even if you beg them. In this event, we revert to Plan B: an equally awesome day out, in which we go to St Foy to experience some of the enviable terrain this little Savoyarde gem has to offer. A trip to Sainte Foy could consist of any one of the epic lines such as Col Grenier, Crystal Dark or even La Foglietta. All descents are over 1000 metres and offer some of the most snowboard friendly terrain anywhere in the world.

Price – £100 basic to cover Plan B. A further £200 in cash will be payable if we fly. This can be paid just before we get in the Helicopter. Transport to La Thuile and return from Le Miroir/La Masure is included. A fully trained snowboard instructor/guide, who understands what snowboarders are looking for, is of course part of the package. Lift passes in La Rosiere and/or Sainte Foy are not included.

If we get the right conditions, it is always worth considering renting a powder specific snowboard. Freeride boards really do make riding off-piste easier and more enjoyable. Check out Si’s blog on last years Flight Attendant from Burton, and chat to Loulou at Snodroppe who will always try to give you a good deal.

Off-Piste course dates and details

25th to 29th of December. Off-piste week covering some of the classic lines of Tignes. All day Wednesday in St. Foy.

1st to 5th January. Off-piste course covering some of the classic descents in the Tignes area.

8th to 12th January. Deep Snow Off-Piste course. With all this fresh snow, I have a special course running to find the deepest best conditions that we have seen in Tignes for many years.

26th to 2nd March. Off-piste course covering some of the classic descents in the Tignes area.

5th to 9th March. Off-piste course covering some of the classic descents in the Tignes area.

12-16th March. Off-piste course covering some of the classic descents in the Tignes area. All day Wednesday in St. Foy.

19-23rd of March. Off-piste course covering some of the classic descents in the Tignes area. All day Wednesday in St. Foy.

26-30th March. Off-piste course covering some of the classic descents in the Tignes area. All day Wednesday in St. Foy.

16th to 20th April. Off-piste touring “Slush Country” This will be an introduction to touring on split boards and how to use snow shoes and crampons. I will also cover basic rope work and we will stay over in a refuge one night. The course will consist of a shorter first day session on Monday 11-4pm to prep everybody on their equipment followed by 4 days of back country touring 11-4pm. Conditions in Spring can be epic in Tignes with lots of sunny days and soft snow. It’s different, but still fun. Perfect for touring. The course will only have 4 riders. Cost £400. You will need to rent your own kit. I can organise this on the first day. The refuge is also an extra but is very cheap.

Heliboarding dates.

23rd December 2017
30th January 2018
6th January 2018
10th March 2018
17th March 2018
24th March 2018
31st March 2018
7th April 2018